Men's football: Timão take on Rosario Central in CONMEBOL Libertadores | OneFootball

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Corinthians Agency

Corinthians are ready for a major challenge in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. At 9:30 p.m. this Thursday (13), at Gigante de Arroyito Stadium in Rosario (ARG), Timão face Rosario Central (ARG) in the first leg of the round of 16 of the continent’s biggest club competition. The match will be broadcast on ESPN.

The Corinthians squad wrapped up preparations for the match on Wednesday afternoon (12) at Newell's Old Boys’ (ARG) Jorge B. Griffa training center in the city of Rosario. Timão’s players began with activation work in the Argentine club’s gym. On the pitch, right after the warm-up, head coach Fernando Diniz led two tactical drills featuring several game situations. Set-piece plays were also worked on.

Timão secured qualification for the CONMEBOL Libertadores round of 16 by finishing top of Group E with 11 points, recording three wins, two draws, and just one defeat, with eight goals scored and four conceded. Rosario Central (ARG) advanced in second place in Group H, with the same 13 points as leaders Independiente del Valle (EQU).

The match in Argentina will have a special meaning for midfielder Rodrigo Garro. Timão’s No. 8, who once lived in the city of Rosario, can hardly wait to take the field on a CONMEBOL Libertadores knockout night.

“Tomorrow’s match is about energy and a strong desire to win. These are the matches we always prepare ourselves to play. It’s a game with great responsibility, a game where there is a lot at stake, but also one to enjoy with responsibility and commitment, and this group has that,” said Garro, who spoke calmly about the pressure from the home fans and the passion of the Fiel.

“The fans will also, without a doubt, play their part. But we’re used to the supporters we have, who back us for the full 90 minutes. We play every home game with those fans. We know what that means.”

Corinthians and Rosario Central (ARG) met in the round of 16 of the 2000 CONMEBOL Libertadores. In the first match, at Gigante de Arroyito Stadium, Timão were beaten 3-2, with two goals from Luizão. In the return leg, at Pacaembu, Alvinegro won 3-2 in regular time (goals from Edilson and Luizão, twice) and then won 4-3 on penalties.

Watch Rodrigo Garro’s full press conference on Corinthians TV

Check out Timão’s campaign in the first phase of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores:

09/04 – Platense (ARG) 0 x 2 Corinthians – Goals by Kayke and Yuri Alberto 15/04 – Corinthians 2 x 0 Independiente Santa Fe (COL) – Goals by Raniele and Gustavo Henrique 30/04 – Corinthians 2 x 0 Peñarol (URU) – Goals by Gustavo Henrique and Jesse Lingard 06/05 – Independiente Santa Fe (COL) 1 x 1 Corinthians – Goal by Gustavo Henrique21/05 – Peñarol (URU) 1 x 1 Corinthians – Goal by Zakaria Labyad27/05 – Corinthians 0 x 2 Platense (ARG)

Watch the video of Timão’s training session in Argentina on Corinthians TV:

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.